Fraud Watch Network Alert: Fake Veteran Charities

All charity scams are deplorable, but those pretending to raise funds to support our nation’s veterans are particularly shameful. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission, along with state charities regulators, announced a major takedown of fake veteran charities. AARP is hosting the FTC for two hour long national Tele-Town Halls on the subject today at 10:10 am and 2:00 pm (both times Eastern). If you’d like to listen in, dial 877-229-8493 and enter 13907 as the PIN.

Let’s hope these actions put a big dent in these scams, but chances are more will pop up. Here’s what you should know.

How it works:

• Fake charities use the same techniques as trusted charities to reach you—in person, by mail, over the phone, online, by text, or by e-mail—so be mindful across all of these methods.
• The name of the fake veteran charity may closely resemble the name of a real charity.
• The fake charity might ask you to wire money, donate by gift card or give cash—see this as a red flag.

What you should know:

• Real veteran charities need your support, and they, like us, lose out when a scammer steals our donation and diverts resources away from legitimate organizations.
• Scammers will put pressure on you to act quickly, before you have a chance to think through your decision or do any research.

What you should do:

• When you do donate to a charity, use a check or credit card and keep records.
• If you are approached in person, ask for identification and details about the charity, including its full name and address, and how they will use the funds. If the person cannot furnish this information, close your door or walk away.
• Easily check out a charity before you give money to one. See how at www.ftc.gov/charity.

If you think you’ve been the victim of fraud, contact the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office by visiting  www.ok.gov/oag or calling 1-405-521-3921 or 1-918-581-2885. When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourselves and your loved ones from scams. Please share this with friends and family.

PS: If you haven’t tuned into AARP’s weekly podcast  The Perfect Scam , it’s worth a listen! The series shares compelling personal stories from scam victims and their families. Professional con artists and leading experts pull back the curtain on how scammers operate and share tips on how best to protect ourselves. If you enjoy The Perfect Scam, please nominate it for a People’s Choice Podcast Award !